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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-193100
Registration Statement No. 333-215432

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated January 8, 2014)

 

700,000 Shares of Common Stock

Microbot Medical Inc. is offering 700,000 shares of common stock.

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “MBOT.” On January 4, 2017, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $7.61 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

		Per Share				Total
Public offering price		$	5.00			$	3,500,000
Placement Agent Fees (1)		$	0.30			$	210,000
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$	4.70			$	3,290,000

 

(1)	See “Plan of Distribution” for additional disclosure regarding placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses.

Delivery of the shares of common stock to the investors in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company is expected to be made on or about January 6, 2016.

 

 

Chardan Capital Markets, LLC

The date of this prospectus supplement is January 6, 2017.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT			Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT			S-1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY			S-2
THE OFFERING			S-3
RISK FACTORS			S-5
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION			S-6
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-6
DILUTION			S-7
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			S-7
LEGAL MATTERS			S-9
EXPERTS			S-9
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			S-9
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE			S-9

PROSPECTUS

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
RISK FACTORS			3
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			3
USE OF PROCEEDS			4
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES			4
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			5
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK			7
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK			7
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			9
LEGAL MATTERS			16
EXPERTS			16
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			16
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE			17

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the placement agent have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement nor any distribution of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-193100) utilizing a shelf registration process relating to the securities described in this prospectus supplement was initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on December 27, 2013 and was declared effective on January 8, 2014. An additional registration statement on Form S-3 MEF (File No. 333-215432) was filed with the SEC on January 5, 2017 pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and became effective upon filing.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of securities. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. The information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement also adds to, updates and changes information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. If information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus or the information incorporated by reference therein, then this prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede the information in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein.

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell any combination of the securities described in the accompanying prospectus.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the terms, the terms “Microbot,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” in this prospectus supplement refer to Microbot Medical Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Any investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below and all of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, including the risk factors described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2017, before deciding whether to purchase the securities offered hereby. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected by these risks.

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering and may experience additional dilution in the future.

You will incur immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering. After giving effect to the sale by us of shares offered in this offering a public offering price of $5.00 per share, and after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, investors in this offering can expect an immediate dilution of $4.99 per share. In addition, in the past, we issued convertible debt, options and warrants to acquire shares of common stock. To the extent these securities are ultimately exercised or converted, you will sustain additional future dilution.

Because we will have broad discretion and flexibility in how we use the net proceeds from this offering, we may use the net proceeds in ways in which you disagree.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to further develop our transformational micro-robotic technologies that are designed to treat and diagnose various medical conditions, and for general corporate purposes including working capital, capital expenditures and research and development. See “Use of Proceeds”. Our management will have significant discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. The failure of our management to use such funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow.

Additional stock offerings in the future may dilute then existing stockholders’ percentage ownership of our company.

Given our plans and expectations that we may need additional capital, we may need to issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible or exercisable for shares of common stock, including convertible preferred stock, convertible notes, stock options or warrants. The issuance of additional securities in the future will dilute the percentage ownership of then existing stockholders.

The rights of holders of common stock may be impaired by the possible future issuance of additional preferred stock.

Our board of directors has the right, without approval of the holders of our common stock, to issue additional preferred stock with voting, dividend, conversion, liquidation and other rights which could adversely affect the voting power and equity interest of the holders of common stock, which could be issued with the right to more than one vote per share, and could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control. The possible negative impact on takeover attempts could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Although we have no present intention to issue any shares of preferred stock other than the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock currently outstanding or to create any additional series of preferred stock, we may issue these shares in the future.

 

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We have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future on our common stock.

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on earnings, financial condition, debt covenants in place, and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as our board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on a stockholders’ investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.

Our issuance of common stock upon conversion of convertible notes or preferred stock or exercise of warrants or options may depress the price of our common stock.

As of January 5, 2017, we have issued and outstanding 26,550,974 shares of common stock, 9,736 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock convertible into 9,736,000 shares of common stock, convertible notes convertible into an aggregate of 3,169,949 shares of common stock (not including accrued interest), warrants to purchase 126,975 shares of common stock, and options to purchase 2,631,979 shares of common stock. The issuance of shares of common stock upon conversion of convertible notes or preferred stock, or exercise of outstanding warrants or options could result in substantial dilution to our stockholders, which may have a negative effect on the price of our common stock.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated in this prospectus supplement contain forward looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are projections in respect of future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “intends”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “potential”, or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks listed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” commencing on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement, which may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering, after placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $3.25 million.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to further develop our transformational micro-robotic technologies that are designed to treat and diagnose various medical conditions, and for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, and research and development. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we shall not use the net proceeds from this offering a) for the satisfaction of any portion of the Company’s debt (other than payment of trade payables in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and prior practices), (b) for the redemption of any Common Stock or Common Stock equivalents, (c) for the settlement of any outstanding litigation, or (d) in violation of FCPA or OFAC regulations.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2016, pro forma to take into account the Merger and the issuance of our Series A Preferred Stock, was approximately $(2,906,115) million, or $(0.08) per share (on an as-converted basis with respect to our outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock). “Net tangible book value” is total assets minus the sum of liabilities and intangible assets. “Net tangible book value per share” is net tangible book value divided by the total number of shares outstanding.

After giving effect to the sale of the common stock in this offering at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and after deducting estimated placement agent fees and expenses payable by us, our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2016 would have been approximately $343,885 or $0.01 per share of common stock (on an as converted basis with respect to our outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock). This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of approximately $0.09 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $4.99 per share to investors participating in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution per share to investors participating in this offering:

 

Public offering price per share						$	5.00
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2016 (pro forma)		$	(0.08	)
Increase per share attributable to this offering		$	0.09
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2016 after this offering						$	0.01
Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering						$	4.99

The information above is as of September 30, 2016 and excludes, as of that date:

 

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all shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants, and restricted stock units, then outstanding or outstanding as a result of the Merger; and

 

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approximately 3,169,949 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of a convertible secured note (excluding accrued interest) that were entered into as a result of the Merger.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Pursuant to an engagement agreement dated January 4, 2017, we engaged Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan Capital” or the “Placement Agent”) as our exclusive placement agent to solicit offers to purchase the shares in this offering. The Placement Agent is not purchasing or selling any of the shares we are offering, and it is not required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number of shares or dollar amount, but it has agreed to use reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of the shares.

The Placement Agent proposes to arrange for the sale of the shares we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement to one or more investors through securities purchase agreements directly between the purchasers and us. We established the price following negotiations with the Placement Agent and prospective investors and with reference to the prevailing market price of our common stock, recent trends in such price and other factors. It is possible that not all of the shares we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement will be sold at the closing, in which case our net proceeds would be reduced. We anticipate that the sale of the shares will be completed on the date indicated on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, subject to customary closing conditions. On the closing date, the following will occur:

 

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we will receive funds in the amount of the aggregate purchase price;

 

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Chardan Capital will receive the Placement Agent fees in accordance with the terms of the engagement agreement between us and Chardan Capital; and

 

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we will deliver the shares to the investors.

In connection with this offering, the placement agent may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.

We will pay the Placement Agent cash fees equal to $210,000, plus reimbursement of certain of the Placement Agent’s out-of-pocket expenses equal to $15,000.

We currently anticipate that the sale of shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus will be completed on or before January 6, 2017, subject to customary closing conditions. At the closing, The Depository Trust Company will credit the shares of common stock to the respective accounts of the purchasers. The estimated offering expenses payable by us, excluding the placement agent fees and expenses, will be approximately $25,000, which includes legal and printing costs and various other fees associated with registering and listing the common stock. After deducting the placement agent fees and our estimated offering expenses, we expect the net proceeds from this offering to be approximately $3.250 million.

We have agreed to indemnify the placement agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and liabilities arising from breaches and representations and warranties contained in the engagement agreement. We have also agreed to contribute to payments the placement agent may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

Chardan Capital may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of the shares sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an underwriter, Chardan Capital would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares by Chardan Capital acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, Chardan Capital:

 

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may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and

 

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may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the placement agent of the offering, or by its affiliates. Other than the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on the placement agent’s websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by the placement agent is not part of this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus form a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the placement agent in its capacity as placement agent and should not be relied upon by investors.

NASDAQ Listing

Our Common Stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “MBOT”.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares being offered under this prospectus supplement by us will be passed upon for us by Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., Uniondale, New York.

EXPERTS

The audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co., a Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, and Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC’s public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference facilities. SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are only part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and therefore omit certain information contained in the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules with the registration statement that are excluded from this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules, without charge, at the public reference room or obtain a copy from the SEC upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.

We also maintain a website at www.microbotmedical.com, through which you can access our SEC filings. The information set forth on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referring to these filed documents. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus supplement. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents that have been or will be filed with the SEC (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and all exhibits related to such items):

 

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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2016; and

 

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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on May 10, 2016;

 

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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2016;

 

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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016;

 

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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 12, 2016, January 15, 2016, March 11, 2016, May 3, 2016, May 10, 2016, May 19, 2016, May 20, 2016, May 31, 2016, July 19, 2016, August 15, 2016, August 16, 2016, September 2, 2016, October 27, 2016, November 15, 2016, November 29, 2016, December 2, 2016, December 8, 2016, December 16, 2016, December 30, 2016, January 4, 2017, and January 5, 2017;

 

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Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on September 27, 2016;

 

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The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed August 3, 1998 under The Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

 

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All reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering.

Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or replaces such information.

We will provide, upon written or oral request, without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information incorporated herein by reference (exclusive of exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference herein). You may request a copy of any or all of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at: Harel Gadot, Microbot Medical Inc., 175 Derby Street 27/1, Hingham, MA 02043, telephone number (908) 938-5561.

 

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PROSPECTUS

$100,000,000

STEMCELLS, INC.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Debt Securities

 

 

We may offer to the public, from time to time, in one or more series or issuances:

 

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shares of our common stock;

 

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shares of our preferred stock;

 

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warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities; or

 

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debt securities consisting of debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness.

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before you make your investment decision.

We will sell these securities directly to our stockholders or to purchasers or through agents on our behalf or through underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of these securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will provide the names of the agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “STEM.” On December 24, 2013, the closing price of our common stock was $1.31.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves certain risks. Please carefully consider “Risk Factors” on page 3 and other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and in any applicable prospectus supplement, for a discussion of the factors you should consider carefully before deciding to purchase our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is January 8, 2014

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		Page
Prospectus Summary			1
Risk Factors			3
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			3
Use of Proceeds			4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			4
Plan of Distribution			5
Description of Common Stock			7
Description of Preferred Stock			7
Description of Warrants			8
Description of Debt Securities			9
Legal Matters			16
Experts			16
Where You Can Find More Information			16
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference			17

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell different types of securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain specific information about the nature of the persons offering securities and the terms of the securities being offered at that time. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, including all documents incorporated herein by reference, together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference.”

This prospectus does not contain all of the information that is in the registration statement. We omitted certain parts of the registration statement from this prospectus as permitted by the SEC. We refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information about us and the securities that may be sold under this prospectus.

All references in this prospectus to “StemCells,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean StemCells, Inc. and its subsidiaries unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or the time of any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since such date.

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RISK FACTORS

You should consider the “Risk Factors” included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) filed after such annual report. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference may contain “forward-looking statements”. Except for strictly historical information contained herein, matters discussed in this report constitute forward-looking statements. Generally, these statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “look forward,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” and “would,” and similar terms. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and are based upon currently available data. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we note that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.

Such statements include, without limitation, all statements as to expectation or belief and statements as to our future results of operations; the progress of our research, product development and clinical programs; the need for, and timing of, additional capital and capital expenditures; partnering prospects; costs of manufacturing products; the protection of, and the need for, additional intellectual property rights; effects of regulations; the need for additional facilities; and potential market opportunities. Our actual results may vary materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements because of risks to which we are subject, including the fact that additional trials will be required to confirm the safety and demonstrate the efficacy of our HuCNS-SC cells for the treatment of any disease or disorder; uncertainty as to whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Swissmedic, or other regulatory authorities will permit us to continue with clinical testing of proposed products despite the novel and unproven nature of our technologies; the risk that our clinical trials or studies could be substantially delayed beyond their expected dates or cause us to incur substantial unanticipated costs; uncertainties in our ability to obtain the capital resources needed to continue our current research and development operations and to conduct the research, preclinical development and clinical trials necessary for regulatory approvals; the uncertainty regarding our ability to obtain a corporate partner or partners, if needed, to support the development and commercialization of our potential cell-based therapeutics products; the uncertainty regarding the outcome of our clinical trials or studies we may conduct in the future; the uncertainty regarding the validity and enforceability of our issued patents; the risk that we may not be able to manufacture additional master and working cell banks when needed; the uncertainty as to whether the Company’s preclinical studies will be replicated in humans; the uncertainty whether any products that may be generated in our cell-based therapeutics programs will prove clinically safe and effective; the uncertainty of whether we will achieve significant revenue from product sales or become profitable; obsolescence of our technologies; competition from third parties; intellectual property rights of third parties; litigation risks; and other risks to which we are subject. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements and risk factors set forth in “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.

The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus represent our estimates as of the date of this prospectus. We specifically disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date of this prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, clinical trial expenditures, acquisitions of new technologies or businesses, and investments. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities covered by this prospectus may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

If we offer debt securities and/or preference equity securities under this prospectus, then we will, if required at that time, provide a ratio of earnings to fixed charges and/or ratio of combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings, respectively, in the applicable prospectus supplement for such offering.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell securities in any of the ways described below, including any combination thereof:

 

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to or through underwriters or dealers;

 

•

through one or more agents; or

 

•

directly to purchasers or to a single purchaser.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

•

at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

 

•

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

•

the initial public offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

•

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. In no event will any underwriter or dealer receive fees, commissions and markups, which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent of the price of the securities being registered.

Only the agents or underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are agents or underwriters in connection with the securities being offered.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

Agents, underwriters and other third parties described above may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, underwriters and such other third parties may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Certain of the underwriters may use this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale.

The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. Underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of, or the existence of trading markets for, any of the securities.

Certain persons participating in this offering may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following summary of the terms of our common stock is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter and by-laws, copies of which are on file with the SEC as exhibits to previous SEC filings. Please refer to “Where You Can Find More Information” below for directions on obtaining these documents.

We have authority to issue 225,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 18, 2013 we had 55,137,668 shares of common stock outstanding.

General

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters on which our stockholders vote. There are no cumulative voting rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if declared by our board of directors, out of funds that we may legally use to pay dividends. If we liquidate or dissolve, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets once our debts and any liquidation preference owed to any then-outstanding preferred stockholders are paid. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide the common stock with any redemption, conversion or preemptive rights. All shares of common stock that are outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and, upon issuance and sale, all shares we are offering by this prospectus, will be fully-paid and nonassessable.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Nasdaq Capital Market

Our common stock is listed for quotation on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “STEM.”

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

We have authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock. As of December 18, 2013, no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding. The following summary of certain provisions of our preferred stock does not purport to be complete. You should refer to our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws, both of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement we have filed with the SEC in connection with this offering. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law.

Our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval, from time to time, to issue shares of preferred stock in series and may, at the time of issuance, subject to Delaware law and our charter and by-laws, determine the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including voting rights, dividend rights and redemption and liquidation preferences. Satisfaction of any dividend preferences of outstanding shares of preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of our common stock. Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company before any payment is made to the holders of shares of our common stock. In some circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management. Upon the affirmative vote of our board of directors, without stockholder approval, we may issue shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the holders of shares of our common stock.

If we offer a specific series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of the preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the certificate establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC. To the extent required, this description will include:

 

•

the title and stated value;

 

•

the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference per share and the purchase price;

 

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the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s), or method(s) of calculation for such dividends;

 

•

whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

 

•

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

•

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

•

the provisions for redemption, if applicable;

 

•

any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 

•

whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price (or how it will be calculated) and conversion period;

 

•

whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price (or how it will be calculated) and exchange period;

 

•

voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

•

a discussion of any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

•

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of StemCells, Inc.; and

 

•

any material limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of StemCells, Inc.

The preferred stock offered by this prospectus will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for any series or class of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Particular terms of the warrants will be described in the warrant agreements and the prospectus supplement to the warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of, and other information relating to, the warrants:

 

•

the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants;

 

•

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

•

the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our common stock and the number of shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our preferred stock, the number of shares of preferred stock to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of our preferred stock;

 

•

if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of debt securities to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of debt securities;

 

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•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

 

•

whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

 

•

any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;

 

•

the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

 

•

the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

 

•

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities will be separately transferable;

 

•

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

•

the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

 

•

any redemption or call provisions;

 

•

whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and

 

•

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We will issue the debt securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement under an indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of the debt securities will include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture. We have filed a copy of the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included. The indenture will be subject to and governed by the terms of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

We may offer under this prospectus up to an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 in debt securities; or if debt securities are issued at a discount, or in a foreign currency, foreign currency units or composite currency, the principal amount as may be sold for an initial public offering price of up to $100,000,000. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will represent direct, unsecured obligations of StemCells, Inc. and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness.

The following statements relating to the debt securities and the indenture are summaries, qualified in their entirety to the detailed provisions of the indenture.

 

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General

We may issue the debt securities in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities in a prospectus supplement relating to that series, which we will file with the SEC.

The prospectus supplement will set forth, to the extent required, the following terms of the debt securities in respect of which the prospectus supplement is delivered:

 

•

the title of the series;

 

•

the aggregate principal amount;

 

•

the issue price or prices, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

•

the date or dates on which principal is payable;

 

•

the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates;

 

•

the date or dates from which interest, if any, will be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable;

 

•

the place or places where principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, is payable;

 

•

the terms and conditions upon which we may, or the holders may require us to, redeem or repurchase the debt securities;

 

•

the denominations in which such debt securities may be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of that number;

 

•

whether the debt securities are to be issuable in the form of certificated debt securities (as described below) or global debt securities (as described below);

 

•

the portion of principal amount that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date if other than the principal amount of the debt securities;

 

•

the currency of denomination;

 

•

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, will be made;

 

•

if payments of principal and, if applicable, premium or interest, on the debt securities are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than the currency of denomination, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

 

•

if amounts of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index, then the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

•

the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for such debt securities;

 

•

any addition to or change in the covenants and/or the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture;

 

•

any events of default, if not otherwise described below under “Events of Default”;

 

•

the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion into or exchange for shares of common stock or preferred stock;

 

•

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents; and

 

•

the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to other indebtedness of StemCells, Inc.

 

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We may issue discount debt securities that provide for an amount less than the stated principal amount to be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture. We may also issue debt securities in bearer form, with or without coupons. If we issue discount debt securities or debt securities in bearer form, we will describe material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other material special considerations which apply to these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities denominated in or payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units. If we do, we will describe the restrictions, elections, and general tax considerations relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exchange and/or Conversion Rights

We may issue debt securities which can be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or preferred stock. If we do, we will describe the terms of exchange or conversion in the prospectus supplement relating to these debt securities.

Transfer and Exchange

We may issue debt securities that will be represented by either:

 

•

“book-entry securities,” which means that there will be one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of a depositary; or

 

•

“certificated securities,” which means that they will be represented by a certificate issued in definitive registered form.

We will specify in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular offering whether the debt securities offered will be book-entry or certificated securities.

Certificated Debt Securities

If you hold certificated debt securities, you may transfer or exchange such debt securities at the trustee’s office or at the paying agent’s office or agency in accordance with the terms of the indenture. You will not be charged a service charge for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities but may be required to pay an amount sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such transfer or exchange.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and of the right to receive the principal of, premium, and/or interest, if any, on the certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing the certificated debt securities and having us or the trustee issue a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Securities

If we decide to issue debt securities in the form of one or more global securities, then we will register the global securities in the name of the depositary for the global securities or the nominee of the depositary, and the global securities will be delivered by the trustee to the depositary for credit to the accounts of the holders of beneficial interests in the debt securities.

The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement for debt securities of a series that are issued in global form. None of our company, the trustee, any payment agent or the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.

 

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No Protection in the Event of Change of Control

The indenture does not have any covenants or other provisions providing for a put or increased interest or otherwise that would afford holders of debt securities additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control of StemCells, Inc., or a highly leveraged transaction. If we offer any covenants or provisions of this type with respect to any debt securities covered by this prospectus, we will describe them in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Covenants

Unless otherwise indicated in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not have the benefit of any covenants that limit or restrict our business or operations, the pledging of our assets or the incurrence by us of indebtedness. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material covenants in respect of a series of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We have agreed in the indenture that we will not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer, sell or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:

 

•

the person formed by the consolidation or into or with which we are merged or the person to which our properties and assets are conveyed, transferred, sold or leased, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the U.S., any state or the District of Columbia or a corporation or comparable legal entity organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and, if we are not the surviving person, the surviving person has expressly assumed all of our obligations, including the payment of the principal of and, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and the performance of the other covenants under the indenture; and

 

•

immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing under the indenture.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following events will be events of default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:

 

•

we fail to pay any principal or premium, if any, when it becomes due;

 

•

we fail to pay any interest within 30 days after it becomes due;

 

•

we fail to comply with any other covenant in the debt securities or the indenture for 60 days after written notice specifying the failure from the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series; and

 

•

certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of StemCells, Inc. or any of our significant subsidiaries.

The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any series of any default, except in payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of a series, if the trustee considers it to be in the best interest of the holders of the debt securities of that series to do so.

If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs, and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may accelerate the maturity of the debt securities. If this happens, the entire principal amount, plus the premium, if any, of all the outstanding debt securities of the affected series plus accrued interest to the date of acceleration will be immediately due and payable. At any time after the acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration is obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may rescind and annul such acceleration if:

 

•

all events of default (other than nonpayment of accelerated principal, premium or interest) have been cured or waived;

 

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•

all lawful interest on overdue interest and overdue principal has been paid; and

 

•

the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree.

In addition, if the acceleration occurs at any time when we have outstanding indebtedness which is senior to the debt securities, the payment of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities may be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of any amounts due under the senior indebtedness, in which case the holders of debt securities will be entitled to payment under the terms prescribed in the instruments evidencing the senior indebtedness and the indenture.

If an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal, premium and interest amount with respect to all of the debt securities of any series will be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities of that series.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to waive any existing default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities of that series and to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the indenture.

No holder of any debt security of a series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

•

the holder gives to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

 

•

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series make a written request and offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute a proceeding as trustee;

 

•

the trustee fails to institute a proceeding within 60 days after such request; and

 

•

the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with such request during such 60-day period.

These limitations do not, however, apply to a suit instituted for payment on debt securities of any series on or after the due dates expressed in the debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

From time to time, we and the trustee may, without the consent of holders of the debt securities of one or more series, amend the indenture or the debt securities of one or more series, or supplement the indenture, for certain specified purposes, including:

 

•

to provide that the surviving entity following a change of control of StemCells, Inc. permitted under the indenture will assume all of our obligations under the indenture and debt securities;

 

•

to provide for certificated debt securities in addition to uncertificated debt securities;

 

•

to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

 

•

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or make any other change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any holder; and

 

•

to appoint a successor trustee under the indenture with respect to one or more series.

 

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From time to time we and the trustee may, with the consent of holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding series of debt securities, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of such series, or waive compliance in a particular instance by us with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder affected by such action, modify or supplement the indenture or the debt securities or waive compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities in order to:

 

•

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement, or waiver to the indenture or such debt security;

 

•

reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest;

 

•

reduce the principal of or change the stated maturity of the debt securities;

 

•

make any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt security;

 

•

change the amount or time of any payment required or reduce the premium payable upon any redemption, or change the time before which no such redemption may be made;

 

•

waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or a redemption payment;

 

•

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt securities or change any provision with respect to redemption of debt securities; or

 

•

take any other action otherwise prohibited by the indenture to be taken without the consent of each holder affected by the action.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

The indenture permits us, at any time, to elect to discharge our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities by following certain procedures described in the indenture. These procedures will allow us either:

 

•

to defease and be discharged from any and all of our obligations with respect to any debt securities except for the following obligations (which discharge is referred to as “legal defeasance”):

(1) to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities;

(2) to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities;

(3) to compensate and indemnify the trustee; or

(4) to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold monies for payment in trust; or

 

•

to be released from our obligations with respect to the debt securities under certain covenants contained in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be contained in the applicable supplemental indenture (which release is referred to as “covenant defeasance”).

In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must deposit with the trustee or other qualifying trustee, in trust for that purpose:

 

•

money;

 

•

U.S. Government Obligations (as described below) or Foreign Government Obligations (as described below) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money; or

 

•

a combination of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent accountants to provide money;

 

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which in each case specified above, provides a sufficient amount to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series, on the scheduled due dates or on a selected date of redemption in accordance with the terms of the indenture.

In addition, defeasance may be effected only if, among other things:

 

•

in the case of either legal or covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel, as specified in the indenture, stating that as a result of the defeasance neither the trust nor the trustee will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

•

in the case of legal defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that, or there has been a change in any applicable federal income tax law with the effect that (and the opinion shall confirm that), the holders of outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such legal defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would have been the case if legal defeasance had not occurred;

 

•

in the case of covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

 

•

certain other conditions described in the indenture are satisfied.

If we fail to comply with our remaining obligations under the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture after a covenant defeasance of the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture, and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any undefeased event of default, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee could be insufficient to pay amounts due under the debt securities of the affected series at the time of acceleration. We will, however, remain liable in respect of these payments.

The term “U.S. Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means securities which are direct obligations of or non-callable obligations guaranteed by the United States of America for the payment of which obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

The term “Foreign Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars (1) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agent or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government, which in either case under clauses (1) or (2), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer.

Regarding the Trustee

We will identify the trustee with respect to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable debt securities. You should note that if the trustee becomes a creditor of StemCells, Inc., the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 limit the rights of the trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates may engage in, and will be permitted to continue to engage in, other transactions with us and our affiliates. If, however, the trustee acquires any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee. If an event

 

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of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in the exercise of its rights and powers, must use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to that provision, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. The validity of any securities will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly, and special reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. These documents are on file with the SEC under file number 000-19871. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. You can request copies of these documents by contacting the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of that contract or other document filed with the SEC. For further information about us and the securities offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules which may be obtained as described herein.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below into this prospectus, and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering of all the securities by this prospectus is completed, including all filings made after the filing date of this initial registration statement and prior to its effectiveness. We hereby incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as amended;

 

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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013;

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 13, 2013, March 12, 2013, April 11, 2013, June 4, 2013, June 10, 2013, August 5, 2013, September 12, 2013, October 4, 2013, October 30, 2013, November 14, 2013 (as amended) and December 23, 2013;

 

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our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on October 31, 2013; and

 

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the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed August 3, 1998, under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We will provide each person to whom this prospectus is delivered a copy of all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. You may obtain copies of these filings, at no cost, through the “Investor Relations” section of our website (www.stemcellsinc.com), and you may request copies of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

StemCells, Inc.

7707 Gateway Blvd., Suite 140

Newark, CA 94560

Attention: Investor Relations

Phone: (510) 456-4000

e-mail: irpr@stemcellsinc.com

The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

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